Denver Nuggets (30-15) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (18-25)
January 23, 2026 9:30 pm EDT
The Line: Milwaukee Bucks -6.5; Over/Under: 221.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks duke it out at the Fiserv Forum on Friday night. Here’s a Bucks vs Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Bucks vs Nuggets Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets have been in fine form lately as they’ve won seven of their last 10 games overall. They will be eager to keep it going after snapping a two-game skid with a 107-97 road win over the Wizards last night. Peyton Watson led the team with 35 points on 10 of 16 shooting, Jamal Murray added 24 points with five assists on nine of 17 shooting while Aaron Gordon and Jonas Valanciunas each scored 16 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 45 percent from the field and nine of 26 from the 3-point line. However, this win was more about their defense as they kept a lid on the Wizards from the start and allowed just 46 points in the first half. This was a close contest all the way till the final buzzer as the Nuggets never led by more than 12 points in this one. Tim Hardaway Jr had a night to forget as he shot just one of eight from the field to finish with just two points off the bench.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost four of their last five games overall. They will be hoping for a better effort in this one after getting smashed by the Thunder in a 122-102 loss on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team in scoring with 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, AJ Green and Bobby Portis each scored 15 points while Cole Anthony chipped in with 17 points on seven of nine shooting. As a team, the Bucks shot 49 percent from the field and 16 of 41 from the 3-point line, but they didn’t match the intensity of the Thunder early on. They were always fighting a losing battle after getting outscored by 38-18 in a nightmare of a first quarter.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The home team has won each of the last seven games between the Nuggets and Bucks.
- The Nuggets have lost five of their last six games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 12 road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of the last six games between the Nuggets and Bucks.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last seven games as road underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Bucks have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as road underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Nuggets’ last seven road games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Bucks’ last six games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Bucks vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets have ruled out Nikola Jokic, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun once again, while the Bucks have ruled out Taurean Prince and Kevin Porter Jr again. The Nuggets will be feeling much better after last night’s win over the Wizards, but they don’t have any time to rest as they travel to take on the Bucks. They just got humbled by the Thunder in their last outing. I get why the Bucks are favorites at home, especially because the Nuggets are playing their second game of a back to back set, but the Nuggets are still the more consistent team in better form. I think the Nuggets can pull off the upset in this spot.
